10bn . . . is the number of polystyrene fast-food boxes covertly
produced and brazenly used across China every year, according to the head of
the International Food Packaging Association, quoted by Chinese media.

An outright ban on the production and use of the boxes was imposed by the
Chinese authorities in 1999. Like Washington with alcohol in the Thirties,
Beijing now appears to have accepted that some prohibitions do not work. In
May the 14-year-old ban will be lifted — either an admission of failure or a
roar of self-confidence by China’s new administration.